Bayesian analysis reveals clustering of stellar black hole masses near seven solar masses in low-mass X-ray binaries, indicating a distinct mass gap above neutron stars.
Key Points
To determine the mass distribution of stellar-mass black holes in transient low-mass X-ray binary systems and evaluate potential selection effects.
Applied Bayesian statistical analysis to seven transient low-mass X-ray binary systems with measured mass functions.
Evaluated the influence of observational selection effects and modeled pre-supernova binary evolution.
Six of the seven systems have black hole masses tightly clustered near seven solar masses.
A significant mass gap exists between observed low-mass black holes and known neutron stars.
The source V404 Cyg is significantly more massive than the other systems, likely belonging to a distinct mass distribution.